The historical background of Indian jewelry takes us back to the history of the country itself as both are almost equally old. You may be surprised to know that the history of Indian jewelry goes back almost 5000 years. Since pre-historic times, people in India have had a penchant for adorning themselves with jewellery. Gold, silver, stones, gems, etc. were the defining aspects of Indian jewellery.
As time passed by, people learnt the art of polishing metals like gold and silver and learnt to extract semi-precious stones and gems from the mines. As various ruling empires came, the rich kings wore jewelry that made them look like Gods. Every big and small piece of adornment was made of gold and precious stones like rings, earrings, bangles, chains, crowns, anklets, etc. India has been ruled by different empires over the past many years. All these empires have left an indelible mark on the jewelry styles as well. The Mughals gave their distinctive style of using precious stones and intricate carvings, the Rajputs had their enameled jewelry and so on.
Today we see an exciting convergence on traditional India jewelry, with contemporary pieces designed to cater for a younger market. One jewelry house that has mastered the art of creating traditional pieces as well as breathtakingly beautiful modern diamond pieces is Begani Jewels.
My passion for Indian jewelry began in 2017, with a trip to Jaipur to participate in a panel discussion at the ICA Congress on Social Media and its place n the modern world of Gems and Jewels. While there, I visited several Jaipur jewelers, and fell in love with the passion that Indian craftsmen and traders have for precious gems and jewelry. When Rohan Begani reached out to me a few months later, and invited me to Mumbai to visit his families business, I jumped at the opportunity. Since then, I have visited Mumbai on three occasions, each time as guest of Begani jewels. Why have I continue to go back time and time again to see a single jeweler? Quite simply because I believe that their quality and craftsmanship stands up to any jewelry I have ever seen, anywhere in the world. Oh, and the
fact that I adore the Begani family makes me want to go back again and again :)
Let's begin with the background to the brand. Four decades ago in 1974 - founder Subodh Begani began his dream business in a small corner of his fathers office. Born under the name Diatex International - this name was an inspired blend of his father's textile business and love for diamonds. As in any industry, brilliance never goes unrecognized, and in just a few years, Subodh's hard work and perseverance not only crafted a formidable reputation in the Mumbai Diamond trade, but also led to a larger office in Parekh Market, the central diamond district. Today, Begani is known the world over and is renowned for its fine quality and unparalleled craftsmanship. Currently spearheaded by the scion of the family, Rohan Begani now navigates the company towards a more brilliant and beautiful future.
Today, Begani Jewels has an impressive combination of modern, contemporary pieces, as well as retaining a strong footprint in the traditional Indian and Bridal areas. Their pieces include fancy colored diamonds, as well as the spectrum of precious gems, including emeralds, rubies, sapphires rose cut diamonds, and pearls. Designs are all done in house, and visit to the Begani factory is a always a highlight of my stay in Mumbai. There i get to see the entire process from start to end, all done in-house by a team of expert Begani artisans. The pride and passion of these skilled workers always delights me. From seeing the gold melted, to the wax molds, to seeing each diamond set by hand, I love all aspects of the process.
In closing, I want to acknowledge that the Indian jewelry industry is vibrant and dynamic, with many outstanding jewelers forming part of the jewelry scene. Each one brings something unique to the business. For me personally, Begani brings some of the finest diamonds, outstanding design, and exceptional craftsmanship!